2007/04/01
Published in "Juku," 2007, No. 254
From the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era, Yukichi Fukuzawa's private school relocated from Tsukiji Teppozu to Shiba Shinsenza,
and then to its current location in Mita, expanding its scale and enhancing its educational environment along the way.
It was named Keio University upon its move to Shiba Shinsenza.
There, what is said to be the first student cafeteria in Japan was established...
As the times entered the Showa era, the university's student cafeterias began to develop uniquely on each campus.
This article, with an introduction to the cafeteria in its early days, will trace the past and present of the "student cafeterias" on each campus, focusing on the Showa and Heisei eras.
[Introduction] Japan's Student Cafeterias: A History Beginning at Keio University
During the Shiba Shinsenza period, a cafeteria was provided on the grounds of the dormitory where Keio students lived together. This is said to be what was likely the first student cafeteria in Japan. During the private school's time in Teppozu, there was a room called a dining hall, but it was essentially a kitchen, and Keio students ate in their own rooms. However, after the move to Shiba Shinsenza, all Keio students began to dine together, as stated in the "Cafeteria Rules" in "Keio Gijuku no Ki (Notes on Keio Gijuku)": "Meals are set for eight in the morning, twelve at noon, and five in the evening." Furthermore, since the same rules also stated, "Dining chairs must not be taken out of the cafeteria or used for other purposes," it appears that the Western style of sitting on chairs to eat had already been introduced.
In 1871 (Meiji 4), Keio University relocated to Mita. The ""Yakusoku (Pledge) of the Keio Gijuku Shachu"" also included the following "Cafeteria Rules." It is interesting to note that they mention not only adhering to meal times but also manners and attire in the cafeteria.
In addition, Yukichi Fukuzawa, who introduced Western food culture to Japan through his writings such as ""Seiyo Ishokuju"" (Western Food, Clothing, and Shelter), seems to have added Western food (bread-based meals) to the menu of the university's student cafeteria from an early stage.
*Immediately after the institution was named Keio University, Yukichi Fukuzawa printed and distributed "Keio Gijuku no Ki (Notes on Keio Gijuku)," declaring the university's principles and spirit. The book also included a set of rules.
Cafeteria Rules
Article 1: Meal times shall be announced from time to time, according to the length of the day.
Article 2: The duration for meals is limited to one and a half hours for breakfast and dinner, and one hour for lunch. Those who are late will not be permitted to eat.
Article 3: Each person shall take their assigned seat and must not disturb the seating arrangement. If a dining chair is soiled, the person assigned to that seat is responsible.
Article 4: Eating while standing is prohibited; eating while sitting on stools is prohibited.
Article 5: It is prohibited to dine in inappropriate attire, such as a dotera (padded jacket) or sanjaku-obi (narrow sash).